Schabir Shaik arrived at the Durban High Court at around 9:30am
on Monday for the start of his fraud and corruption trial.

Dressed in a dark pin striped suit and white shirt, and
surrounded by a large entourage led by his brother Mo, Shaik walked up Masonic
Grove and paused at the top of the steps before entering the court building.

His arrival caused a media frenzy with photographers and
journalists rushing to catch a glimpse of him.

Shaik smiled but looked tense and left it to his brother to say:
"No comment".

His arrival caused a media frenzy

Once inside the court building he stood in the internal
courtyard chatting to his brother and one of the representatives of the French
arms company accused of collusion in the alleged bid to bribe Deputy President
Jacob Zuma.

Lawyers not connected to the case and members of the public
leaned over the first floor balcony and watched with interest. Security at the
court was tight with hand-held metal detectors, and a second security check
inside the building.

Judge Hillary Squires had already arrived at the court for the
trial which was expected to begin with the court dropping charges against arms
company Thint and then an application by e.tv and SABC for permission to
broadcast the proceedings live.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions agreed to drop the
charges in return for a statement by Thint director Alain Thetard confirming he
was the author of a note which the Scorpions believe show Zuma was to be bribed.

The State will reportedly seek leave to add another company from
the Shaik stable, Chartley Investments, to the indictment.

An application by e.tv and the SABC for permission to broadcast
the proceedings live would then be considered.

The proceedings were only expected to focus on Shaik on
Wednesday.

In an indictment shot through with references to Zuma, the State
alleges Shaik made improper payments totalling R1,25 million benefiting the
deputy president between 1995 and 2002 and that he arranged for Zuma to receive
R500 000 a year from a French arms manufacturer in return for protection against
a probe into arms deal corruption.